It’s been 50 years since Saturday Night Live debuted on Oct. 11, 1975, with its first host, comedian George Carlin. You may not know that Carlin has a New Hampshire connection. He summers at camp in New Hampshire as a kid, where he performed in talent shows. Now, nearly five decades later, the show remains a late-night TV staple and is marking its 50th anniversary with a three-hour special this weekend. Carlin isn’t the only SNL star with ties to the Granite State—Adam Sandler, Seth Meyers, Sarah Silverman, and Jimmy Fallon have also called New Hampshire home (or a home away from home).
Here’s a breakdown of the time these comedians spent on Saturday Night Live (SNL), their impact, notable castmates, and reasons for leaving:
George Carlin
Carlin got his start in comedy in New Hampshire. He grew up in Manhattan, but every summer got out of the city and went to Camp Notre Dame on Spofford Lake. The camp always had a talent show, and Carlin would participate and win every year,” according to an interview with his daughter, Kelly, on National Public Radio. “My dad … loved mimicking the voices and people and making up his own radio commercials.” Carlin wore the comedy/tragedy necklace he won at one of those shows until the day he died, said his daughter. Carlin never lost the comedy bug that stung him in New Hampshire and ended up winning five Grammys. After he died in 2008, his daughter spread some of his ashes on Spofford Lake.
- Years on SNL: Never a cast member but hosted the first-ever episode (October 11, 1975)
- Impact: Carlin’s monologues on the premiere episode helped set the tone for SNL’s countercultural, irreverent style. However, he didn’t interact with the cast in sketches.
- Notable Castmates (as host): Original 1975 cast—Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman
- Reason for Leaving: He was only a one-time host but returned to host in 1984.
Adam Sandler
Sandler is arguably the most famous comic talent to come out of the state. The comedian/actor/director/songwriter wasn’t born here, but he and his family moved to Manchester from Brooklyn in 1972 when he was 6 years old. The Mark Twain Prize for American humor award winner visits his old haunts here often and can be seen sporting New Hampshire merch in his films. In a recent YouTube video, Sandler can be seen at a film set kissing the Dunkin Donuts cup in his hand and saying, “You can take the boy out of New Hampshire but you can’t take the New Hampshire out of the boy.” And he’s proven that with support for local causes, including a $1 million donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in Manchester.
- Years on SNL: 1990–1995
- Joined: Hired as a writer in 1990, became a featured player in 1991
- Impact: Known for his musical comedy, Sandler created memorable characters like Opera Man and Canteen Boy. His silly, offbeat humor and original songs (e.g., “The Hanukkah Song”) became a signature part of his comedy.
- Notable Castmates: Chris Farley, David Spade, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, Dana Carvey
- Left: Fired in 1995
- Reason for Leaving: Sandler and Farley were fired NBC executives, despite their popularity. Ratings of the show were at an all time low. Rumors swirled that executives were fed up with Sandler and Farley’s antics, which involved prank calls. Sandler later joked about it in interviews, saying he didn’t want to leave but had no choice.
Seth Meyers
Meyers moved to Bedford when he was 10 and graduated from Manchester High School West before heading off to college at Northwestern University. Like Sandler, Meyers makes occasional trips back to the Granite State and has given performances to raise money for local organizations.
- Years on SNL: 2001–2014
- Joined: 2001 as a featured player
- Impact: Best known as head writer and host of Weekend Update from 2006–2014, Meyers helped shape the show’s political and satirical voice. His sharp, intelligent humor was a driving force during his tenure.
- Notable Castmates: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis
- Left: 2014
- Reason for Leaving: He left to host Late Night with Seth Meyers, taking over from Jimmy Fallon, who had moved to The Tonight Show.
Sarah Silverman
Born in Bedford and raised in Manchester, Silverman joined SNL in 1993. She later voiced her love for New Hampshire in a Visit NH YouTube video, praising the fall foliage, kayaking, and the Red Arrow Diner.
- Years on SNL: 1993–1994
- Joined: 1993 as a featured player
- Impact: Silverman was a writer and performer but struggled to find her comedic voice on the show. She was barely given screen time, and most of her sketches were cut.
- Notable Castmates: Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, Janeane Garofalo
- Left: Fired in 1994 after one season
- Reason for Leaving: Lorne Michaels let her go, as she wasn’t a great fit for the show’s format. She later joked about it, saying she was fired by fax.
Jimmy Fallon
Fallon spends his summers with his family in a house on Lake Winnipesaukee. He and his wife, Nancy Juvonen Fallon, named their first child, Winnie Rose, after the New Hampshire landmark and the place where they got engaged.
- Years on SNL: 1998–2004
- Joined: 1998 as a featured player
- Impact: Fallon became a fan favorite with his celebrity impressions, musical sketches, and infectious energy. He co-anchored Weekend Update with Tina Fey, bringing a lighter, goofier tone. He was also known for frequently breaking character (corpsing).
- Notable Castmates: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Horatio Sanz, Maya Rudolph, Tracy Morgan, Darrell Hammond
- Left: 2004
- Reason for Leaving: He left to pursue a film career, though his movie success was limited. He later transitioned into hosting Late Night and The Tonight Show.
